Cisco names new VP for channel operations

BANGALORE, INDIA: Cisco, a provider in networking services, today announced the appointment of B. Raghavendran as vice president, Channel Operations and Commercial Strategy, Cisco India & SAARC.

In this role, he would build and lead Cisco’s partner efforts in the region. He would also focus on reinforcing Cisco’s presence in the commercial segment, which is among the key growth markets for Cisco in the region, said a press release.

Raghavendran would succeed R. Dhamodaran, who headed Cisco India’s channel operations and commercial strategy over the past year and has recently taken on a new role at the Cisco Globalisation Center East.

He would be based in Mumbai and would report directly to Naresh Wadhwa, president and country manager, Cisco India and SAARC.

Prior to this, Raghavendran was the Strategy and Operations Lead for Cisco India’s sales organisation.

“Channel partners are key enablers in expanding Cisco’s market reach. Raghavendran has already proven to be an asset to the company. We believe his rich experience will help us deepen our relationships in this community,” said Naresh Wadhwa, commenting on the appointment.

He added that the company's channel strategy is also tightly integrated with their commercial business, and they believe that Raghavendran’s extensive knowledge and understanding of the industry would be invaluable to the company.

Raghavendran is a graduate in engineering and has over 15 years of experience in the technology industry.

He joined Cisco India in 1998 as an Account Manager for the company’s banking and financial services vertical, and has played a key role in achieving several strategic wins for Cisco India, said the release.

Prior to joining Cisco, Raghavendran was associated with Wipro Infotech as regional manager, it added.